FIRST SCULPTURES UNVEILED FOR UNDERWATER GARDEN AT PETERSON CAY

We decided to share this article with readers of BAHAMAS CHRONICLE, which has a huge following among the Bahamian diaspora across the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom as well as in The Bahamas and the wider Caribbean. Grand Bahama 242 News published this article by Barbara Walkin on Thursday, May 21, 2026. The article can be found here.

By BARBARA WALKIN
barbara@barefootmarketing.net

The Peterson Cay Underwater Sculpture Garden is a step closer to becoming a reality with the unveiling on Thursday (May 21) at Coral Vita’s Conservation Cove of the first four sculptures to be installed at the garden, marking the beginning of a transformative marine attraction for Grand Bahama.

Leading the artistic vision is Bahamian sculptor Andret John, who described the project as a fusion of history and culture rooted deeply in Bahamian identity.

“I wanted to involve some historical nuance and marry that with culture. So, there’s kind of a Junkanoo influence as well,” Mr John told Around da Islands.

He noted that even the structural design reflects that inspiration. “If you look at the bases of them, they kind of represent skirts, so there’s that undertone of Junkanoo and just Bahamian culture on the whole.”

Among the unveiled pieces is Fragile Innocence, a striking depiction of a Lucayan Taíno boy holding a conch shell, an image intended to spark reflection on environmental stewardship.

“If you notice, his face is kind of disgruntled,” Mr John said. “I want to bring awareness to the conch. It’s important to who we are as a people, and we must not overfish. We have to put mechanisms in place so future generations can benefit from this important part of our culture.”

Designed not only as art but as living infrastructure, the sculptures will serve as artificial reefs, encouraging coral growth and providing habitat for marine life. Mr John emphasised that sustainability was integral to the process.

“Just marrying design with how the corals are going to eventually grow, creating habitat for fish, those influences dictated what the designs would be,” he said, noting his training in underwater sculpture techniques helped guide the process.

The unveiling represents the culmination of nearly two years of planning and collaboration.

“This is my favourite part, actually seeing all of the hours of work come together, “Mr John added. “It’s the culmination of all that effort, all of the teamwork.”

From a development perspective, the project is expected to deliver wide-ranging benefits.

Nakira Wilchcombe, Vice President of Building and Development Services at the Grand Bahama Port Authority, highlighted both its environmental and economic potential.

“Funding was the main instrument that we needed to actually execute,” she said. “But if you look around the world, underwater sculptures are growing in popularity, and the draw that they bring is amazing.”

She stressed that the initiative goes beyond tourism. “Firstly, the environment; these become artificial habitats that attract coral and marine life. We’re excited to see the transformation once these are underwater for a certain period. That’s going to be even more remarkable.”

Peterson Cay, a protected national park, was chosen strategically to safeguard the installations while encouraging exploration of an often-overlooked treasure.

“We find a lot of people don’t know and have not explored Peterson Cay,” she noted. “This is an opportunity to draw people there. It’s a win-win.”

There are also ambitions to expand the project.

“If we can establish little villages or pockets of these sculptures along the south shore, that would be wonderful,” she said, adding that additional funding is being sought through international grants and private investment.

Rupert Hayward, founder and chairman of Blue Action and co-chairman of the Grand Bahama Port Authority, described the initiative as a model for sustainable development.

“This project is the best of The Bahamas in many ways,” Mr Hayward said. “We’ve got Bahamian artists, civic institutions, NGOs and government all coming together to deliver something that supports education around conservation and tourism.”

He added that the installation represents a broader opportunity for the region.

“What we need to do is find ways to create models for economic, social and environmental development that don’t negatively impact our marine ecosystems, but actually enhance them while generating economic activity,” he said. “This is a great example of how that works.”

The sculptures themselves pay homage to Grand Bahama’s past and present, featuring depictions of the Lucayan people, early settlements and influential figures such as Edward St. George and Sir Jack Hayward, alongside other notable Bahamians.

Partially funded through the United Nations Development Programme’s Global Environment Facility Small Grants Programme, with support from local and international partners, the project represents a collaborative effort to redefine how cultural heritage and conservation intersect.

As the sculptures are eventually submerged off Peterson Cay, officials anticipate they will not only enrich marine ecosystems but also establish Grand Bahama as a premier destination for eco-conscious travellers—where history, art and nature converge beneath the surface.